Guide on Hiring Generators, Power Distribution Boxes & Cabling
Hiring a generator for an event
If you have not needed temporary power for an event before it can all seem a little unnerving but fear not, with some prior planning and simple management it can be very straightforward!
You need to ensure you get the right size generator for your event – too small and you won’t have enough power and it’ll trip because it’s overloaded, if it’s too large you’ll be paying more money than you need (and the generator doesn’t like being under loaded), just right will be the perfect generator giving you ample power with a little in backup should someone plug in an extra kettle or heater that you were not expecting!
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Call 01608 661677 for free expert advice on generators and power distribution.
Things to take into Consideration When Hiring a Generator, Distribution Boxes & Cabling
What are you powering?
Lighting, heating, catering, toilets, showers, band, DJ, stage lighting, car park lighting, hot-tubs, fairground attractions etc. all take varying amounts of power. Ask your suppliers how much power they need in Watts or Kilowatts and write it down. If you call us asking what size generator you’ll need, this is the first thing we’ll ask you to do.
What is the duration of your event?
What date would you like to take delivery (or collect from us) and when will the items be finished with, this will enable us to ensure we have a generator available for your dates.
Can you supply a sketched plan of the event showing where items such as toilets, bar, band etc. will be located?
This will help us to know where things are situated, what distance of cabling is required and whether it is possible. Your sketch doesn’t have to be a to scale engineers drawing, a very simple sketch with approximate measurements usually suffices and from this sketch we can advise on generator placement, cable runs and power distribution box locations.
Do you offer a set up service?
Unfortunately not, you may wish to employ an electrician who will do this on your behalf however if you’d like to save some money and set up the equipment yourself we are happy to advise you prior to your event the best way of setting up the site and how to balance the load on the generator to ensure your event runs smoothly. We have many years’ of experience supplying generators to events such as fetes, street food fayres, weddings and music events in the most remote of locations!
Do you offer a Delivery / Collection service?
We do offer a delivery / collection service and the rate depends on your location from our depots. We do not operate this service at the weekend. Any weekend hires will be delivered on the Friday afternoon for the hire to start on Saturday morning.
How is the fuel in the generator charged for?
All of our event generators run on white diesel. We supply these to you full of fuel and charge for the amount of fuel used during your hire. If you wish to refuel yourself please only use clean white diesel, if you use red diesel or dirty fuel you will encounter further charges to clean the tank and refuel with the correct fuel. Prices per litre vary as they do at the filling station pump therefore the price you are quoted for fuel during your enquiry may change when your hire starts.
Do you offer insurance for the hire equipment?
We are unable to offer insurance for generators and we do encourage customers to ensure they have adequate cover in place. If a generator gets stolen from your event site you would be liable for its replacement cost which would be in excess of £20,000. There are companies online who do offer short term hired in plant insurance for very little cost, please call us to ask which companies we know offer this service.
Please note we apply a mandatory damage waiver charge of 15% to any other hire items on the hire contract such as;
If you have obtained your own insurance we will need to see proof of this before we can remove this waiver. Full details are available on request.
Important to note, even with the equipment insured, you will still have to ensure that all items are secure until we collect from your event site which will be on a weekday following your call to off-hire.
Our full range of event equipment can be found here
Understanding Technical Terms
To help you understand, here are some technical terms and equipment types that we use and a brief description of what they mean:
Single phase
This refers to the output of the generator. Single phase is 240volts or 110volts. 240volts is the same voltage as your household voltage and as such you can plug directly into the generator (you may need a jack lead) to power your tools or equipment.
Three (3) phase
All of our larger generators produce 415volts 3 phase power. Three phase power needs to be split with the use of a distribution board down to single phase 240volts for use for event equipment. Each of the 3 phases will give you a single phase 240 volt output and each phase needs to be loaded and balanced within 30% of the other 2 phases. This may sound daunting but in reality is very simple, all 3 phase generators that we supply have an ampere reading screen to enable you to view the loading of the phases very easily and because you spent some time during the planning process you’ll be confident that your loads will be balanced.
These distribution boards break down from 63amp 3 phase to single phase 32amp & 16amp to ensure you can power your event. Each board has 3 x 32amp 240v sockets (to plug triangle distribution boards into) & 12 x 16amp 240volt sockets.
Our distribution boxes have a single 32amp 240volt input and output 4 x 13amp 240volt (household) sockets & 4 x 16amp 240volt (industrial) sockets.
Supplied in 32amp or 63amp to suit your requirements. These cables are plugged directly into the generator and then connected to a 3 phase distribution box. Cable length is typically 10-15m.
32amp 240volt extension lead to plug either directly into generator or the large 63amp distribution box. These leads are then plugged into the triangle distribution boards. This enable you to distribute power to various parts of your event.
10-15m in length, no more than 30m in total should be used per run.
These leads plug into the 16amp industrial sockets on the distribution boards to supply 13amp household sockets should you require more for your event. Generally 14m in length with single or double 13amp sockets.
Suitable for small events, family gatherings, garden parties, powering food stalls or catering vans
Sound level @ 1m = 78db
Fuel capacity of 39 litres
Weight = 550kg
Prices below include standard distribution of
1 x 32amp 240volt lead
1 x 32amp 240volt triangle distribution box
| 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 1 week |
| £124.20 | £155.25 | £186.30 | £207.00 |
Minimum deposit £350.00
Additional cables are available on request at an additional price
Prices are subject to fuel, damage waiver, delivery/collection and VAT
Suitable for small/medium events, parties, small weddings, fetes, food vendors
Sound level @ 7m = 60db
Fuel capacity of 153 litres
Run time of 31.9hrs @ 75% capacity load or 4.1ltr/hr
Weight = 1.2t
Prices below include standard distribution of
3 x 32amp 240volt leads
3 x 32amp 240volt triangle distribution boxes
| 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 1 week |
| £234.60 | £293.25 | £351.90 | £391.00 |
Minimum deposit £500.00
Prices are subject to fuel, damage waiver, delivery/collection and VAT
Suitable for larger events, weddings, small outdoor festival stages, village shows
Sound level @ 7m =68db
Fuel capacity of 125 litres
Run time of 12.92hrs @ 75% capacity or 7.74ltr/hr
Weight = 1.75t
Prices below include standard distribution of
1 x 125amp 415volt distribution box
3 x 32amp 240volt leads
3 x 32amp 240volt triangle distribution boxes
| 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 1 week |
| £280.80 | £351.00 | £421.20 | £468.00 |
Minimum deposit £625.00
Additional cables are available on request at an additional price
Prices are subject to fuel, damage waiver, delivery/collection and VAT
Suitable for larger events, weddings, small outdoor festival stages, village shows
Sound level @7m = 59db
Fuel capacity of 220 litres
Run time of 27.2hrs @ 75% capacity load or 8.1ltr/hr
Weight = 1.85t
Prices below include standard distribution of
1 x 63amp 415volt lead
1 x 63amp 415volt distribution box
3 x 32amp 240volt leads
3 x 32amp 240volt triangle distribution boxes
| 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 1 week |
| £293.20 | £367.50 | £441.00 | £490.00 |
Minimum deposit £675.00
Additional cables are available on request at an additional price
Prices are subject to fuel, damage waiver, delivery/collection and VAT
Suitable for large events, food festivals, large weddings, large outdoor festival stages
Sound level @7m = 65db
Fuel capacity of 350 litres
Run time of 33hrs @ 75% capacity load or 10.6ltr/hr
Weight = 2.1t
Prices below include standard distribution of
1 x 63amp 415volt lead
1 x 63amp 415volt distribution board
6 x 32amp 240volt leads
6 x 32amp 240volt triangle distribution boards
| 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 1 week |
| £411.60 | £514.50 | £617.40 | £686.00 |
Minimum deposit £1000.00
Additional cables are available on request at an additional price
Prices are subject to fuel, damage waiver, delivery/collection and VAT
Generator Hire Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds
Hiring a generator from us means that you:- Will save money as generators only tend to be needed for special occasions or jobs
- Are hiring professional, tried and tested machinery.
Or take a look at our easy to understand generator hire guide
We deliver generators in your area - CV33 - Harbury, Offchurch and Leamington Spa, CV37 Near Me - Alveston, Ettington, Long Marston, Alderminster and Stratford-upon-Avon, GL55 & GL56 - Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Hill, CV35 - Kineton, Claverdon, Barford, Wellesbourne, CV47 - Burton Dassett and Southam, OX15 - Brailes, Banbury, Hook Norton and Tadmarton, CV36 - Blackwell, Idlicote, Long Compton and Shipston-on-Stour, GL54 - Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Northleach, Chedworth, Winchcombe and Cheltenham, OX18, OX7 & WR12 - Burford, Bruern Abbey, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Cotswold Tool Hire and Broadway Plant Hire Gloucestershire Plant hire near me.
Fosseway Hire are your local specialists in Generator Hire, Mini Digger Hire, Dumper Hire, Scaffold Tower Hire, Wacker Plate Hire, Plant Hire and General Tool Hire